No need to fly to Japan – you can still enjoy Nagoya tonkatsu, dreamy fried chicken, and hot pot

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Jetstar, V Air, and Tigerair Taiwan have recognized the potential of Nagoya and successively launched flights between Taipei and Nagoya, making travel to Nagoya much more convenient. But did you know? You can also savor Nagoya’s popular dishes without leaving Taipei. In addition to the newly opened Yaba Miso Tonkatsu on the 18th, there’s also Yamamasa from the “dreamy fried chicken wings world” of Nagoya, and the fiery Akakara Hot Pot.

▲Jumbo loin cutlet.

Yaba Miso Tonkatsu
The long-established Japanese Nagoya tonkatsu shop “Yaba Miso Tonkatsu” has officially opened in Taipei’s Yongkang shopping district. Since its founding in 1947, it has been around for 75 years. To authentically replicate the flavors of Japan, Yaba’s secret miso sauce and the crucial ingredient for tonkatsu—breadcrumbs—are flown in directly from Japan. During the opening period, head chef Hirotoshi Chino from Japan will be stationed in-store to serve up authentic Nagoya-style miso tonkatsu.

The rice used at Yaba Miso Tonkatsu is Taiwan-grown Koshihikari, while the pork is carefully selected from premium local Taiwanese brands known for their high elasticity. The coleslaw, a perfect pairing for tonkatsu, is freshly sliced daily. The breadcrumbs are shipped from Japan and blended with both fresh and dried breadcrumbs to achieve both a soft and crispy texture. As for the miso sauce—the very essence of Yaba Miso Tonkatsu—it uses naturally fermented soybean miso aged for a year and a half, handcrafted daily in limited quantities by skilled artisans, delivering a rich yet not overly heavy flavor.

Address: 1F, No. 171, Section 2, Xinyi Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2341-8810


▲Yamamasa’s “Dreamy Fried Chicken Wings.” (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Yamamasa (World’s Yamamasa)
The highly popular Nagoya izakaya “World’s Yamamasa” has opened a branch in Taipei near Taipei City Hall MRT Station. Among its many dishes, the “Dreamy Fried Chicken Wings” are the most famous and signature item. These use 30-day-old tender chicken, cooked with a special two-step frying method, and are deep-fried without any batter. Unlike typical fried chicken, to enjoy Dreamy Fried Chicken Wings, simply fold the wing back and place the wingtip section in your mouth. Gently bite down and pull outward to remove the bone, leaving the meat boneless.

Address: No. 1, Lane 15, Section 5, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2765-1701

▲Akakara (Red from) with 10 levels of spiciness. (Photo / Provided by viviyu)

Akakara (Red from)
The Japanese Nagoya-based hot pot chain Akakara (Red from), which has about 180 locations across Japan, expanded to Taiwan last November. The store’s decor and menu are completely authentic to the Japanese originals. Its two flagship dishes are the “Akakara Hot Pot” and “Grilled Chicken Neck Meat.” The Akakara Hot Pot features a base of Nagoya’s traditional red miso blended with a variety of Chinese and Korean chili peppers, offering 10 different spice levels. In Japan, only 1% of people dare to try the level 7 or above spiciness.

The Akakara Hot Pot uses a type of clay pot rarely seen in Taiwan. The star of the dish is red miso, beloved in Nagoya cuisine, along with spicy sauce. The broth is simmered with 30 different spices and red miso.

Address: No. 71, Section 1, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei City (near Exit R4 of Zhongshan Station)
Phone: (02)2523-8922